Best Settings for DeSmuME, DraStic, and Delta (for Pokémon Platinum & HeartGold)

Emulating Nintendo DS Pokémon games is easy today thanks to excellent emulators across PC, Android, and iOS.
But choosing the right settings is essential to get smooth performance, clean graphics, stable FPS, and cheat compatibility.
This guide gives you the best and most stable settings for DeSmuME (PC), DraStic (Android), and Delta (iOS).

🖥️ 1. Best DeSmuME Settings (Windows / macOS / Linux)

DeSmuME is the most accurate DS emulator for PC, but it can be slow if it’s not configured properly.
Here are the optimal settings for Pokémon Platinum and HeartGold.

✅ A) Config → 3D Settings

Renderer:

✔ OpenGL (best performance)
✖ SoftRasterizer only if OpenGL causes glitches

Texture Scaling:

Optional → x2 or x4 (Pokémon games benefit from sharper sprites)

Multisampling:

OFF (FPS drops on weak systems)

✅ B) Emulation Settings

Go to Config → Emulation Settings:

✔ Enable Dynamic Recompiler (JIT)
✔ Use External BIOS/Firmware (optional, for accuracy)
✔ Use advanced bus-level timing (OPTIONAL – increases accuracy but slower)

✅ C) Display Settings

Go to View → Display Method:

✔ OpenGL
✔ Use Filter: HQ2x or SuperEagle for smooth graphics
Window Size: 2x or 3x for better visuals

✅ D) Frame Skip

Go to Config → Frame Skip

0 (recommended for stable gameplay)
Enable Auto Frame Skip only on low-end PCs

✅ E) Sound Settings

Go to Config → Sound Settings

Sound Core: XAudio2 (Windows) or OpenAL (macOS)
Synchronization: Dual Sync for stable audio
Volume: 100%

🎮 Recommended DeSmuME Setup for Pokémon

✔ No frame skip
✔ Texture scaling x2
✔ OpenGL renderer
✔ Dynamic Recompiler enabled
✔ HQ2x filter

Smooth, clean, minimal lag.

📱 2. Best DraStic Settings (Android)

DraStic is the fastest DS emulator on Android, offering excellent performance even on low-end phones.

Here are the best settings for Platinum & HeartGold.

✅ A) Video Settings

Renderer:

✔ Threaded 3D Renderer (FASTEST)
OR
✔ Enhanced 3D Renderer (BETTER GRAPHICS)

Internal Resolution:

High on strong phones
Medium for mid-range
Low on old devices

Filtering:

Linear (cleanest look)
HQ2x (sharper textures)

✅ B) Audio

Enable audio: YES
Audio latency: Low
Audio Sync: ON

✅ C) Performance Settings

✔ Enable multi-threading
✔ Enable high-resolution textures (if using HD packs)
✔ Enable cheat codes (if needed)

🎮 Recommended DraStic Setup

Threaded 3D renderer
High internal resolution
HQ2x texture filter
Multithreading ON

Super smooth, 60 FPS on almost all phones.

🍎 3. Best Delta Emulator Settings (iOS)

Delta is currently the best DS emulator on iPhones/iPads (via AltStore or sideloading).

Delta is based on melonDS, so the settings are simpler.

✅ A) Video Settings

Renderer: OpenGL
Screen Filter:
- Linear (clean)
- CRT (retro look)
- Pixel Perfect (sharp)

Integer Scaling: ON (for cleanest quality)

✅ B) Audio Settings

Audio Sync: ON
Volume: 100%
Latency: Normal or Low

✅ C) Performance Settings

✔ Enable JIT Recompiler (if available)
✔ Enable Cheats (Action Replay / custom)
✔ Enable Fast Forward (useful for grinding)

🎮 Recommended Delta Setup

OpenGL renderer
Linear filter
Audio sync ON
Fast Forward for grinding

Runs Pokémon Platinum and HeartGold perfectly.

🧪 4. Recommended Settings for Cheats & Saves (All Emulators)

✔ Save Type

Use Auto Detect on all emulators.

✔ Cheats

Use:

Action Replay codes
For advanced editing: PKHeX

✔ Backup Saves

Always keep copies of your .sav files.

🏆 Final Summary

Emulator	Recommended Renderer	Best For	Performance	Notes
DeSmuME (PC)	OpenGL	Accuracy & HD Graphics	★★★★☆	Best on mid/high-end PC
DraStic (Android)	Threaded 3D	Smooth Gameplay	★★★★★	Fastest emulator
Delta (iOS)	OpenGL	Stable Mobile Play	★★★★☆	Great UI, easy cheats

How to Use a Controller on DeSmuME, DraStic, and Delta (Full Guide for PC, Android, iOS)

This explains how to connect Xbox / PlayStation / Switch / generic controllers and map them to DS buttons.

🎮 How to Use a Controller With DS Emulators (PC, Android, iOS)

Playing Pokémon Platinum or HeartGold with a real controller makes the gameplay smoother and more comfortable.
Here is a complete tutorial for each emulator and device.

🖥️ 1. DeSmuME (Windows / macOS): How to Use a Controller

DeSmuME fully supports almost all controllers:

Xbox One / Series controllers
PS4 / PS5 DualShock / DualSense
Nintendo Switch Pro controller
Generic USB controllers

✔ Step 1 — Connect Your Controller

Depending on the controller:

Xbox Controller

Via USB → plug in (Windows auto-detects)
Via Bluetooth →
- Hold Sync on controller
- Connect via Windows Bluetooth settings

PlayStation Controller

USB → plug in
Bluetooth →
- Hold Share + PS until light flashes
- Connect via macOS/Windows Bluetooth

Switch Pro Controller

USB → plug in
Bluetooth →
- Hold Sync until lights blink
- Connect via Bluetooth settings

✔ Step 2 — Configure Controls in DeSmuME

Open DeSmuME
Go to Config → Control Config
Click a button (e.g., Up)
Press the controller button you want
Repeat for all DS buttons:

DS Button	Suggested Controller Button
D-Pad	Left joystick / D-pad
A	Xbox A / PS Cross
B	Xbox B / PS Circle
X	Xbox Y / PS Triangle
Y	Xbox X / PS Square
L/R	L1/R1
Start	Options / Menu
Select	Share / Back
Touchscreen	Right stick click for pointer

Click OK to save.

📝 Optional Tips

Enable Analog Stick for movement
Map a key to Fast Forward
You can map Hotkeys like quick save/load

📱 2. DraStic (Android): How to Use a Controller

DraStic supports Bluetooth controllers, USB controllers, and GameSir / 8BitDo controllers.

✔ Step 1 — Connect Controller to Android

Bluetooth Controller

Turn on controller
Hold pairing button
Pair from Android Settings → Bluetooth

USB Controller

Use an OTG cable → plug controller
Android detects it automatically

✔ Step 2 — Enable Controller in DraStic

Open DraStic
Go to Menu → Options → Controller
Turn on:
- ✔ Use physical controls
- ✔ Enable gamepad

✔ Step 3 — Map the Buttons

Go to Menu → Options → Edit Controller Layout
Select Physical Controller Buttons
Tap a button (e.g., A)
Press a controller button
Repeat for all buttons.

Suggested Layout

DS Button	Controller
D-Pad	Joystick or D-Pad
A	A / Cross
B	B / Circle
L/R	L1/R1
Start/Select	Menu / Options

✔ Touchscreen Controls

Pokémon games rarely require dragging, so joystick + buttons work perfectly.
You can also map:

Right Stick → Touch screen cursor
Right Stick Click → Touch tap

🍎 3. Delta Emulator (iOS): How to Use a Controller

Delta supports:

Xbox One / Series
PS4 / PS5
8BitDo
Nintendo Switch Pro
Backbone (iPhone gaming controller)
Any MFi controller

✔ Step 1 — Connect Controller to iOS

Xbox Controller

Hold Sync
Connect in Settings → Bluetooth

PlayStation Controller

Hold Share + PS
Pair in Bluetooth settings

8BitDo / GameSir

Hold their Bluetooth combo
Pair normally in Bluetooth menu

Backbone

Plug directly into iPhone
Auto-detected

✔ Step 2 — Enable Controller in Delta

Open Delta
Select a Nintendo DS game
Tap Settings (gear icon)
Go to Controller
Choose:
- ✔ “Connected Controller”
- ✔ “Gamepad Layout” (optional customizations)

✔ Step 3 — Adjust Button Mapping

Delta allows full customization:

Open Settings → Controller Layout
Drag and drop DS buttons
Tap any button to reassign it
Save layout

Recommended:

A/B → right buttons
L/R → triggers
X/Y → top face buttons
Touchscreen → map to right stick click

🎮 Recommended Button Mapping for Pokémon

Action	Best Mapping
Walk / Move	Left joystick
Run (hold B)	B or L button
Bike / Menu	Y or X
Pokétch	Map to Select or R
Touchscreen	Right stick click

🧩 Controllers That Work Best for DS Games

✔ Xbox Series Controller (best wireless pairing)
✔ PS5 DualSense (great D-pad)
✔ 8BitDo Pro 2 (perfect D-pad + macros)
✔ Switch Pro Controller
✔ GameSir T4 Pro / X2 (compatible with all devices)
✔ Backbone (iOS only)

Edit This Article

Best Settings + How to Use a Controller for DeSmuME, DraStic, and Delta (for Pokémon Platinum & HeartGold)

Best Settings for DeSmuME, DraStic, and Delta (for Pokémon Platinum & HeartGold)

🖥️ 1. Best DeSmuME Settings (Windows / macOS / Linux)

✅ A) Config → 3D Settings

✅ B) Emulation Settings

✅ C) Display Settings

✅ D) Frame Skip

✅ E) Sound Settings

🎮 Recommended DeSmuME Setup for Pokémon

📱 2. Best DraStic Settings (Android)

✅ A) Video Settings

✅ B) Audio

✅ C) Performance Settings

🎮 Recommended DraStic Setup

🍎 3. Best Delta Emulator Settings (iOS)

✅ A) Video Settings

✅ B) Audio Settings

✅ C) Performance Settings

🎮 Recommended Delta Setup

🧪 4. Recommended Settings for Cheats & Saves (All Emulators)

✔ Save Type

✔ Cheats

✔ Backup Saves

🏆 Final Summary

How to Use a Controller on DeSmuME, DraStic, and Delta (Full Guide for PC, Android, iOS)

🎮 How to Use a Controller With DS Emulators (PC, Android, iOS)

🖥️ 1. DeSmuME (Windows / macOS): How to Use a Controller

✔ Step 1 — Connect Your Controller

Xbox Controller

PlayStation Controller

Switch Pro Controller

✔ Step 2 — Configure Controls in DeSmuME

📝 Optional Tips

📱 2. DraStic (Android): How to Use a Controller

✔ Step 1 — Connect Controller to Android

Bluetooth Controller

USB Controller

✔ Step 2 — Enable Controller in DraStic

✔ Step 3 — Map the Buttons

Suggested Layout

✔ Touchscreen Controls

🍎 3. Delta Emulator (iOS): How to Use a Controller

✔ Step 1 — Connect Controller to iOS

Xbox Controller

PlayStation Controller

8BitDo / GameSir

Backbone

✔ Step 2 — Enable Controller in Delta

✔ Step 3 — Adjust Button Mapping

🎮 Recommended Button Mapping for Pokémon

🧩 Controllers That Work Best for DS Games

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